The non-native freshwater fishes of Hong Kong: diversity, distributions, and origins
Author
Chan, Jeffery C. F.
Author
Tsang, Alphonse H. F.
Author
Yau, Sze-man
Author
Hui, Tommy C. H.
Author
Lau, Anthony
Author
Tan, Heok Hui
Author
Low, Bi Wei
Author
Dudgeon, David
Author
Liew, Jia Huan
text
Raffles Bulletin of Zoology
2023
2023-02-22
71
128
168
journal article
10.26107/RBZ-2023-0012
2345-7600
82C3DAD3-0920-4430-A93D-9F887A58DC1A
Poecilia reticulata
(Peters)
(
Fig. 44
, [LU])
Distribution.
Lam Tsuen River, Shuen Wan area, Wang Tong River, Sha Lo Wan Stream, (
Chan, 2001
); Fung Yuen area (Mouchel Asia Limited, 2002); Tai Po Tsai area (Allied Environmental Consultants Limited, 2004); Lam Tin area (Maunsell Consultants Asia Limited, 2005b); Man Uk Pin Stream (Black & Veatch
Hong Kong
Limited, 2007); Lung Mei area (Halcrow
China
Limited, 2007); Ping Yuen River (Ove Arup & Partners
Hong Kong
Limited, 2007); Fanling area, Kwu Tung area (Ove Arup & Partners
Hong Kong
Limited, 2013b); Cheung Chau Island area (Atkins
China
Limited, 2013); Sandy Ridge Cemetery (Ove Arup & Partners
Hong Kong
Limited, 2016); Muk Kiu Tau Tsuen area, Tai Tong area, Shan Ha Tsuen area (Ove Arup & Partners
Hong Kong
Limited, 2017); Lai Chi Wo area (
So, 2019
); Sung Shan New Village area, Lin Fa Tei area, Ha Che area (Atkins
China
Limited, 2020); Pak Tin area (Tai Wai), Pok Hong area, Chun Shek area (AECOM Asia Company Limited, 2021a); Sha Lo Tung Stream, Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve, Shap Long Irrigation Reservoir (AFCD, 2021c; current survey); Pak Ngan Heung Stream, Pui O Stream, Wong Lung Hang Stream, Tai Tei Tong Stream, Ngong Ping Stream, Shek Kong Stream (DSD, 2021); Lion’s Nature Education Centre, Mui Tsz Lam Stream, Ha Wo Hang area, Ng Tung River, Tung Ma To Stream (GBIF.org, 2021); Tung Chung River (
Green Power, 2021
; current survey); Little Hawaii Stream, Tai Tung Wo Liu Stream, Man Hang Stream, Sam Dip Tam Stream, Tung Tsz Stream, Kau Lung Hang Lo Wai Stream, Tsing Tam Tsuen Stream, Tsui Keng area, So Kwun Wat Stream, Pak Long Stream (
Tsang & Dudgeon, 2021a
); Deep Water Bay Stream (current survey).
Fig. 45.
Poecilia wingei
, Sha Po
area.
Fig. 44.
Poecilia reticulata
, 24.8 mm SL female (top), 18.1 mm SL wild-type male (middle), Lin Au Stream, 19 mm SL ornamental male (bottom), Lohas Park.
Fig. 46.
Poecilia salvatoris
, 30 mm SL female (top), Lam Tsuen River, 30 mm SL male (bottom), Sam Dip Tam Stream.
Native range.
Central and South America.
Remarks.
This species was introduced alongside
Gambusia affinis
by the
Hong Kong
Government for mosquito control around 1940 (
Dudgeon & Corlett, 2004
). Escapees or discards from the aquarium trade and individuals released during Buddhist rituals may have also contributed to their establishment in many parts of
Hong Kong
(
Tricarico et al., 2016
). However, this species appears to be less widespread than it was in the 1980s.
Distribution.
Lam Tsuen River (DSD, 2021; current survey); Sam Dip Tam Stream, Tung Tsz Stream (
Tsang & Dudgeon, 2021a
; current survey).
Native range.
Central and South America.
Remarks.
Most abundant in a rocky hillstream (Sam Dip Tam Stream).